Government

The Sports Coordination Council, chaired by H.E. Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, convened its second meeting of 2025 at the Ministry of Sports headquarters in Dubai. The session brought together senior officials and representatives from federal and local government entities to discuss strategies for enhancing coordination across the UAE’s sports ecosystem.

During the meeting, Dr Al Falasi underscored the Council’s pivotal role as a strategic platform to integrate national sports efforts and monitor the implementation of directives aimed at advancing the UAE’s sports development agenda. He highlighted the importance of unifying efforts among sports institutions, supporting federations, and boosting the readiness of national teams to achieve global success.

The discussions focused on newly adopted standards designed to enhance women’s representation and diversity of expertise, as well as ways to strengthen collaboration between federations and sports councils to organize impactful community events.

Key topics included initiatives to discover and nurture talent, particularly through the School Games, University Games, and the Talent Committee Platform, which aim to embed a culture of sports within schools and universities.

Dr Al Falasi emphasized that the next phase will focus on institutional strengthening, private sector engagement, and sustainable sports development, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a prosperous and inclusive sports future.

The meeting was attended by a wide range of officials, including H.E. Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, H.E. Aref Al Awani, H.E. Saeed Hareb, and representatives from the Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah Sports Councils, among others.

Highlights from the Meeting

• Abu Dhabi Sports Council presented its 2025 community events agenda, featuring 172 events across diverse disciplines and preparations for hosting the Masters Games 2026, expected to attract 25,000 participants over 30 sports.

• Dubai Sports Council outlined key initiatives including the 7th Labour Sports Tournament (2025–2026) and the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30x30, promoting community engagement in sports.

• The Ministry of Interior showcased its contributions through initiatives such as Positive Spirit, the Dubai World Challenge for Obstacle Course Racing, and the Dubai Police Esports Championship.

• Preparations were reviewed for the third edition of the UAE School Games, which now includes Obstacle Course Racing among 13 sports, and expanded participation for students aged 9 to 19.

• The second University Games will feature football, volleyball, basketball, and Obstacle Course Racing, with over 2,700 students from 47 universities participating.

• The Talent Committee Platform has registered 1,169 athletes, with 126 invited to its first assessment camp, demonstrating progress in developing a national database for athletic talent.

• The National Sports Talent Schools (NSTS) initiative will transform government schools into sports training centers, open to students of all nationalities to promote inclusion and well-being.

The UAE National Olympic Committee announced plans to host the headquarters of 23 national federations, alongside Asian and Arab federations, providing shared facilities and covering all logistical costs to support institutional coordination.

In conclusion, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an integrated and sustainable sports ecosystem, advancing the National Sports Strategy 2031, and strengthening the UAE’s standing as a regional and global sports leader.

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